Cotterill reflects on Millwall draw

The Millwall game today was never going to be an easy game, that much we knew for sure, although even so it was a game that we would have targeted to get 3pts from.

So, with that in mind, it is a 'little' disappointing that we only managed a draw. Then again we were 1-0 down so to come back and avoid defeat with the 1-1 draw is a bonus really to be honest, right?

Due to the lack of public transport, and not driving, getting to Fratton was impossible for me today so I had to make do with reports - no radio coverage here in Devon either! - so I cannot comment too much on the game.

Steve Cotterill of course was there, so he could!

He felt that we 'did enough' to win and 'should' have been out of sight before Millwall took the lead, then again he was pleased to get in at half time just 1-0 down in the end: 'I think we did enough to win the game with the chances we created.

'We could have been 3-0 up before they scored, but letting Millwall get in front was the worst thing that could have happened because they can keep clean sheets and disrupt your rhythm.

'It was important that we didn't go 2-0 down before half-time, because then we would have lost the game.'

It was Dave Nugent that stuck, having previously had a goal ruled out for offside - something that Cotterill disputes, to secure us a point with Dave Kitson guilty of missing a glorious opportunity before that and the frame of the goal also denied us.

Either way Cotterill was pleased with the fightback and much happier with the 2nd half showing: 'but all credit to the lads because we dominated the second half and got the equaliser. Nuge is infectious and I'm pleased for him. He's a great lad and I'm glad he's got his reward with the goal.

'On another day Kits would have tucked his chance away rather than putting the ball the wrong side of the post.

Credit was pad to Millwall too though: 'but credit to Millwall too because they had a couple of players missing and only allowed us to unlock the door once.'

The 'surprise' starter was The Herminator - who Cotterill thought did ok - with many expecting Carl Dickinson to make an instant return from suspension at left back.

Although with so many games coming up think and fast in the next week or Cotterill knows he has to juggle the small squad around, the next of which comes against Leeds on Tuesday and that will be far from easy: 'Hermann did fine. I wanted to start him because I wasn't sure how Carl Dickinson would do after six weeks without a match. With four days in nine days I've got to use everyone.

'Leeds United are a fantastic club and there will be a big crowd there. It`s a game we`re looking forward to.'

With more changes needed to be made against Leeds the slight juggling of the pack that Cotterill did today 'might' prove a stroke of genius?

It will be interesting what team is selected against Leeds, who are flying high in 3rd place, but whatever side does play we will hopefully give them a good game - bring 'em on...

Your Comments (oldest first)

From the chances we created, we certainly deserved to win, but we were scrappy in parts, very scrappy. We dominated the game during the early part of the first half, and SC is quite right when he says we should have scored. We were SOOO unlucky, I thought Uncle Avram must have been around somewhere closeby.
Never mind tho, Leeds on Tuesday AND I'M GOING!!!!!!!!!!

On a slightly different note, I wonder how much time their keeper wasted out of the 90 to take goal kicks and free kicks. I know all teams do it but I find it Bl**dy irritating when the referee seems totally oblivious to blatant time wasting for the whole game! Also, a note for the governing body, can we have a return please to the keeper taking the goal kick from the side of the 6 yard box equating to where the ball went out of play? Watching that**** yesterday intentionally walk to the opposite side of the six yard box to take goal kicks time and time again was ridiculous. To cap it all, he booked an outfield player for timewasting late in the game!

Cookie Policy
At Vital Football, we along with most other modern websites use small files called 'cookies' to create the most secure, effective and functional website possible for our users. Without these files our business model, based on advertising, breaks down and we would be unable to continue to provide the services that you are here to utilise. By continuing to use this website after seeing this message, you consent to our use of cookies on this device unless you have disabled them. For full details please read our Cookie Policy which can be found here. However, if you would like to disable cookies on this device, please view our Cookie Policy which contains an opt-out tool for disabling advertising cookies. Please also visit our information pages on 'How to manage cookies' if you would also like to block all other types of cookies. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies.